Match book spinner



July 19, 1960 c. E. JOHANNINGMEIER 2,945,696

' MATCH BOOK SPINNER Filed May 13, 19 59 United States Patent fQffice 2,945,696 Patented July 19, 19 6Q MATCH BOOK SPINNER Charles E. Johanningmeier, 812 N. Edwards, Carlsbad, N. Mex.

Filed May 13, 1959, Ser. No. 812,913

Claims. (Cl. 273-147) The invention relates to a package of paper matches in which a folded cover match book is constructed for ready conversion into a spinner such as is used in various games. The object of the invention is to adapt a match book for amusement and to promote its value in advertising.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a selected embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side view of a match book with a match inserted through it normal to the general plane of the book to form the spinner.

Figure 2 illustrates the spinner at rest with one straight edge of the book resting upon the supporting surface.

Figure 3 is a top view of the book as shown in Figures l and 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section on line 4--'4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view of the match book with the cover fully opened.

The package includes base strips 1 with match stems 3 extending therefrom and having ovaloid phosphoric terminals 5. A cover sheet 7 encloses the strips and matches and one end is doubled over at 9 and stapled at 11 to the bases 1. The cover sheet is folded over at 13, forming a rear cover 15- and a front cover 17, and the free end 19 is detachably seated in the crevice between the bases and the stapled end of the cover. This is usual paper match book construction.

Each cover 15, 17 is provided with an aperture-forming punch-out 19', 21 respectively. Each punch-out comprises a small hole or slot 23, 25 respectively, the surrounding material preferably being weakened to yield readily to the thrust of a match 27 through the aperture, as best shown in Figure 4, but to frictionally engage the match stem and retain it in position substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the book. The apertures are approximately half way between the side edges of the book and roughly intermediate the extreme ends of the book, when closed, and accordingly at or closely adjacent the center of balance of the book when disposed horizontally.

When a match 27 is detached from the strip of matches and inserted through the apertures 23, 25, the free cover being closed, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the upstanding end of the match may be twirled between the thumb and finger to set the book spinning. The extent of the spin will depend upon the accuracy of the balance, the smoothness of the lower end of the match, and the skill of the user. When the spinning action ends, the match book will be inclined with one of its side-or end edges in contact with the supporting surface.

j 2 57 Preferably the back cover will have individual game indicia adjacent the four edges, as indicated in Figure 3, and if desired two or more people may engage in a game or contest involving use of this indicia. Baseball, basketball, bowling, golf, football, or other sport indicia, may be substituted for those shown, and rules for using the spinner may be printed on the inside cover.

The device is a simple structure likely to attract the interest of many users of book matches and to direct attention to advertising matter which may be printed on the inner or outer face of either cover, thus attaining the objectives set forth in the introductory portion of this specification.

Details of the structure may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention and exclusive use of those modifications covered by the claims is contemplated.

I claim:

1. A paper match book comprising a match strip with a base and a plurality of match stems projecting therefrom, a cover sheet folded over said strip to form a front cover and a back cover and secured at one end to said base with its other end detachably seated against said base, there being aperture-forming punch-outs in the front and back covers of said cover sheet generally intermediate the end and side edges of the book and aligned with each other when said cover sheet is closed, the punch-outs being of a diameter corresponding to the width of one of the match stems to frictionally and releasably engage a match stem when it is inserted through the punch-outs.

2. A paper match book comprising a match strip with a base and a plurality of match stems projecting therefrom, a cover sheet folded over said strip to form a front cover and a back cover and secured at one end to said base with its other end detachably seated against said strip, the front and back covers when the book is closed having aligned apertures approximately at the center of balance of the match book when horizontal, said apertures having weakened edges disposed to yieldingly engage a match stem inserted through the openings perpendicular to the covers and to the match strip to frictionally retain said match stem in adjusted position transversely of the plane of the book.

3. A game spinner comprising a paper match book having a strip of matches and front and back covers enclosing the same, and a spindle comprising a match extending perpendicular to said sheet and covers and passing between adjacent matches of the strip intermediate the edges of the strip and substantially perpendicularly through said covers and frictionally engaged by said adjacent matches, between which it passes, with one end of said match projecting from the book.

4. A paper match book comprising a match strip with a base and a plurality of match stems projecting therefrom, a cover sheet folded over said strip to form a front cover and a back cover and secured at one end to said base with its other end detachably seated against said strip, the front and back covers when the book is closed having aligned apertures each of smaller diameter than the width of a match stem and with a yielding edge disposed to frictionally engage a match stem inserted through both apertures and hold the book against sliding along the match stem, the outer face of the cover having spaced game indieia adjacent massage; of the book;

5. A game spinner comprising a body consisting of a flexible paper sheet, doubled on itself to form front and back covers of a match book, and a strip of elongated match stems between said covers and secured at one end to one marginal portion of said book, and a spindle comprising a single match stern extending perpendicularly to said strip and covers and passing between adjacent match stems of the strip intermediate the sides of the strip and substantially perpendicularly Qthrough said covers, with both ends of said match stem 1 projecting from the book; said stem being frictionally engaged by the stems of said strip to support the body while spinning on an end of the supporting stem as a pivot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

